Sole Diesel releases its smallest generator yet

While companies like Fuel Cell Systems and Marlec are launching larger, more powerful products, Sole Diesel, distributed in the UK by Engines Plus, has launched its smallest unit yet, writes Katina Read.

The 4GSCH, 4.0kVA marine generating set is powered by a small seawater cooled single cylinder Faryman diesel engine and can be fitted into new craft or retro fitted.

“For many years Sole’s range started at 7.0kVA and we now see an ever growing demand for small generators in the pleasure boat business across all their distributors worldwide,” explained Hedley Beavis, Engines Plus sales director.

“Sole Diesel has seen a gap in its range and decided to introduce a smaller set for this market sector, so they can offer a complete range.”

The four stroke engine provides 3.5kW of 12V power at 3000rpm and has a displacement of 290cc.

DevelopmentsOther developments from Engines Plus include the supply of a 35 GT marine generating set to replace both a generator and engine.

The 35 GT now drives the hydraulics off the front of the generating set, meaning the vessel only requires one engine on board.

“We have recently supplied these sets in the place of an engine and generator, as there is no need for a hydraulic power pack,” explained Mr Beavis. “The customer is using the generating set engine when it’s not being used for power generation to drive the hydraulics.”

The set can be either single or three phase, 12 or 24V and has insulated return electrics. It can also feature a power take off which can take up to 30.9kW mechanical power in line.

And with the demand for on board power changing, Mr Beavis says there is a growing demand for parallel operation.

“When previously customers would have one large generator which, at some point, would not be doing much and still burning diesel, now they can have two more efficient generators,” he explained. “These generators can then be linked together to give the power required.”

The company supplies from 85 to 120kVA open or canopied marine generating sets with parallel operation, allowing for just one generator to be used when less power is required.

Halfway houseFor Vetus, the trend is very much towards inverters and larger inverters with the majority sold now at least 3kW.

In addition, there has been a growing demand for travel power systems, an engine driven generator and inverter technology to convert the power to AC when the engine is running.

“It’s a halfway house between a generator and an inverter which runs off the batteries,” explained Vetus general manager Stephen Baker.

“Travel power systems are used quite widely in the car and truck market and the small commercial market where customers want AC power from the main engine, for example if long distance lorry drivers want some AC power if they are sleeping overnight in their truck.

“We’re being asked for this more and more.”

He added: “It’s not a stand alone generator that would give unlimited AC power – depending on the size of the battery bank.

“It’s belt driven off the front of an engine and takes up about the same amount of space as an alternator, so is the size of many inverters. It’s quite compact.”

And Mr Baker explained that the system is particularly seen in the inland waterways market.

“Potentially it can be run on any of our engines, but it does need to be mounted on a bracket, so we’re primarily using it on the engines that are popular in this market such as the four cylinder Mitsubishi and four cylinder Hyundai engines.

“It’s not a system that is made by us, but we supply all the bracketry and will install it on our engines.”